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Tennessee Lady Vols dominate Alabama 62-44 in SEC opener: Three takeaways

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee forward Alexus Dye (2) looks for an open shot while guarded by Alabama guard Brittany Davis (23) in the NCAA women's basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Alabama Crimson Tide in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, December 30, 2021.Gvx Lady Hoops Alabama
Tennessee forward Alexus Dye (2) looks for an open shot while guarded by Alabama guard Brittany Davis (23) in the NCAA women's basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Alabama Crimson Tide in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, December 30, 2021.Gvx Lady Hoops Alabama /
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In a huge week for the major UT sports programs, the Tennessee Lady Vols were the only ones able to get the job done. Tennessee football lost the Music City Bowl to the Purdue Boilermakers, and Tennessee basketball lost its SEC opener at the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, the women’s basketball team did win its SEC opener at home against Alabama.

UT took a 23-12 lead in the first quarter. Alabama came back, though, outscoring the Lady Vols by five points in each of the next two quarters, even taking a 35-33 lead in the third quarter. However, the Lady Vols opened the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run and outscored them 24-7 in that period to finish with a dominating 62-44 win.

Kellie Harper’s team, ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the Coaches Poll, improved to 12-1 and 1-0 in the SEC. They will next visit the Arkansas Razorbacks Sunday. Kristy Curry’s Tide, who fell to 9-3 and 0-1 in the SEC, will next host the Auburn Tigers that same day. Here are three things we learned from the Tennessee Lady Vols’ loss.

1. Defense was the story.

Alabama never scored more than 13 points a quarter. They were held to 23.9 percent from the field, going 17-of-71, and 17.2 percent from the three-point line, going 5-of-29. UT made nothing easy all night, and it’s funny that happened because the Tide did take care of the basketball, committing only 11 turnovers.

What really stood out about Rocky Top’s defense was the fact that they didn’t foul that much. They committed only 13 fouls all night. Now, the interior players got into foul trouble, but that would naturally, happen, as the team had eight blocks, which leads to our next point.

2. Tamari Key did it all.

With Rae Burrell still out indefinitely and Jordan Horston missing her second straight game, Tamari Key would have to be the star for the Tennessee Lady Vols. She was exactly that. With five blocks, her interior presence was a huge reason UT dominated defensively.

Beyond the blocks, though, Key had 13 points and 11 rebounds, coming away with a double-double. She continues to get better from the free throw line, and she was 5-of-7 from there on the night, a huge reason she was able to be so effective.

3. Jordan Walker and Tess Darby stepped up on the perimeter.

Obviously, Key would need more help without Burrell and Horston. Well, Keyen Green had eight points off the bench, but there wasn’t much else help among the starters. Alexus Dye had an off-night, going 2-of-12 from the field, and Sara Puckett had an off-night shooting, going 0-of-4 from the three-point line. So how did the Lady Vols offset those things plus the injuries?

Well, Jordan Walker and Tess Darby played their game. Darby remained the three-point threat, going 3-of-7 from outside, but she also had three steals, doing her part to help dominate defensively. Walker became the slasher that Horston usually is, and she finished with 16 points, six assists and six rebounds. Those two stepping up led the Tennessee Lady Vols to victory.